Chapter 82

Juyang County lies southwest of Zizhen City, a small county surrounded by mountains.

Due to its abundance of fungi and tea, it annually attracts many people to enter the mountains to collect forest products.

Of course, the rich forest resources also meant the mountains housed numerous wild animals; in an era when management in this area was lax, hunting remained a recognized profession.

Some wealthy city dwellers also came to the mountains for thrills and hunting.

Zhang Shaojie was one such fanatic!

That morning, Zhang Shaojie and several of his henchmen sped in a brand-new Toyota LC100 Land Cruiser toward Moshan Town in Juyang County.

He had already arranged with Mo Jiasheng, a local nouveau riche in Moshan, who owned a mine and claimed to have leased all the mountains within a hundred-li radius. After becoming acquainted with Zhang Shaojie and learning of his love for hunting, Mo Jiasheng invited him to come to the mountains after spring arrived for some sport.

The journey of over a hundred kilometers, mostly winding mountain roads, meant they arrived in Moshan just before noon.

Eager for fun, Zhang Shaojie declined Mo Jiasheng’s banquet and entered the mountains under his escort.

At the same time, Ling Wei and Lao Feng also arrived in Moshan Town.

Later, when Zhang Shaojie brought Ling Wei back to the newly opened Snow Wolf Valley, Zhang Shaojie himself said his life had been saved by Ling Wei, and that Ling Wei was now his blood brother.

As for the details, Zhang Shaojie mentioned only briefly: that day, while hunting, he got carried away, accidentally strayed deep into the mountains, and lost contact with the others; later, he encountered Ling Wei, who was gathering herbs deep in the woods. He said only that Ling Wei’s marksmanship and combat skills were decent, and had it been anyone else, he might never have returned.

Since their boss refused to elaborate, no one dared ask further. Everyone understood: the boss had likely done something embarrassing and was too ashamed to speak of it, yet he couldn’t lie in front of his savior, so he gave vague answers to brush it off.

Ling Wei, meanwhile, believed Zhang Shaojie came from a powerful family and that associating with him might one day lead to glory and a triumphant return home. He explained his thoughts to Lao Feng, and the two parted ways.

Not long after arriving in Zizhen City—with barely half a year passed—Zhang Shaojie did something that utterly won Ling Wei’s heart, and from then on, Ling Wei resolved to serve him with his life.

Zhang Shaojie drove him back to his hometown in Longxi. Upon arrival, the grand two-story house and spacious courtyard left Ling Wei stunned.

As his parents and brothers, beaming with joy, surrounded him like a returning hero, chattering excitedly, he learned that Zhang Shaojie had secretly paid to have this two-story Western-style house built in his name.

This instantly brought prestige to the Ling family in the village, and Ling Wei became a respected figure among them.

Zhang Shaojie had given Ling Wei full honor—allowing him to return home in glory.

Ling Wei, who already revered brotherhood and loyalty, was deeply moved by Zhang Shaojie’s generosity and felt profound gratitude for this unexpected trust.

How could such a warmhearted, naive man possibly understand the true nature of the underworld?

He did not know that Zhang Shaojie treated him this way not only to repay his life-saving deed, but also because he valued his skills and his simple nature.

Afterward, Zhang Shaojie frequently took him hunting, and in his spare time, dragged him to bars and restaurants. Over time, Ling Wei grew uneasy—could his boss really be spending so much just to have him accompany him in leisure?

Finally, when Ling Wei could no longer hold back and asked directly, Zhang Shaojie burst out laughing: “Wei, I told you—you’re my blood brother. What’s mine is yours. Whatever I enjoy, you must enjoy too! Look, isn’t this how I live every day? So you do the same. What’s wrong with that?”

Zhang Shaojie’s words only deepened Ling Wei’s unease. After Ling Wei repeatedly expressed his desire to do something for him, Zhang Shaojie, as if making a great decision, finally spoke: “My business has both white and black sides. But no matter what I do, if I succeed, I inevitably hurt someone’s interests. I don’t want you to sink into the same mess as me—to bear these troubles and risks. You have parents to care for. So just enjoy life with me. Don’t get involved in anything else.”

Zhang Shaojie’s understanding of Ling Wei’s psychology and character was uncannily precise. His words only intensified Ling Wei’s desire to help him. During one hunting trip, Zhang Shaojie gazed at a wild rabbit in the distant grass and said: “Wei, look at that rabbit. I want to hit it, but at this distance, I can’t. Yet I still want to hit it. Can you help me?”

Ling Wei said nothing. He raised his rifle, aimed, and fired. *Bang!* The rabbit dropped instantly.

“I’m your shadow, Jiege. Whatever you can’t do yourself, leave to me. I have other brothers at home—my parents won’t miss me as a filial son. But you? You’re my only elder brother.”

Zhang Shaojie’s eyes welled with emotion. After that, Ling Wei gradually faded from Zhang Shaojie’s daily circle, appearing only during hunting trips. Over time, even Zhang Shaojie’s henchmen came to believe Ling Wei was merely a skilled hunter who accompanied them—not realizing he had become Zhang Shaojie’s “shadow.”

When he received Zhang Shaojie’s first major assignment, Ling Wei was shaken—killing was no small matter! Once he fired that hidden weapon, he might never use it again. But he felt this was his fate; since Zhang Shaojie had entrusted him with this task, there was no turning back—unless he abandoned everything.

But he couldn’t. His deep loyalty and heavy sense of responsibility were his strengths—and his weakness.

That day, under Zhang Shaojie’s orders, he successfully eliminated the man in the luxury sedan, then fled to the riverbank, ditching his motorcycle, gun, and helmet. He put on a cotton-padded jacket over his clothes and walked calmly back into the city, to a two-bedroom apartment in a modest residential complex.

This was Zhang Shaojie’s safehouse for him—Zhang claimed only he knew of its existence. Zhang told him that once the heat died down, he’d arrange for him to leave; right now, right after the incident, leaving would be too risky.

Later, through the news, he learned the man he’d killed wasn’t Chang Huazhong at all, but a decoy. He considered killing him again—but Zhang Shaojie, citing safety, forbade him from contacting him directly. Without Zhang’s approval, he had no access to firearms. To assassinate Chang Huazhong, he’d have to find a way himself.

As night fell, Ling Wei pulled on his coat, slipped on a woolen cap, and raised his collar to shadow half his face. He peered cautiously through the peephole—no one in the hallway. He opened the door and stepped out.

The complex had only one gate, used by all vehicles and pedestrians. Ling Wei walked calmly out the gate, turned right, and walked over a hundred meters before turning into an alley lined with restaurants.

As he entered the alley, four young men in varied attire entered the courtyard where Ling Wei lived, one after another, not far behind him.